Part of the Introductions to Chinese Culture series, this book covers the great variety of unique festivals that have evolved over the course of China's long history, describing a representative selection of 42 traditional and statutory events. Like all the books in the series, it is written by a noted expert in the field, well illustrated with colour photographs and offers an ideal introductory survey for both students and general readers.

Part of the Introductions to Chinese Culture series, this book provides an accessible overview of the history and development of Chinese folk arts, including traditional festivals, ceremonies and rituals, and beliefs and taboos. Like all the books in the series, it is written by a noted expert in the field, well illustrated with colour reproductions and photographs and offers an ideal introductory survey for both students and general readers.

Part of the Introductions to Chinese Culture series, this book provides a fascinating insight into the ancient culture of Chinese tea; the trade, tradition, literature, philosophy and ceremony associated with tea in China; and its popularization around the world. Like all the books in the series, it is written by a noted expert in the field, well illustrated with colour reproductions and photographs and offers an ideal introductory survey for both students and general readers.

Part of the Introductions to Chinese Culture series, this book provides an accessible overview of theatre in China, from traditional Chinese opera and its many variations to drama without music in the 20th century. Like all the books in the series, it is written by a noted expert in the field, well illustrated with colour reproductions and photographs and offers an ideal introductory survey for both students and general readers.

Part of the Introductions to Chinese Culture series, this book provides an accessible overview of one of China's most distinctive cultural traditions. Xu Chengbei traces the history of Peking Opera from its origins to the present day, and devotes chapters to its conventions and appreciation. Like all the books in the series, it is well illustrated with colour photographs and offers an ideal introductory survey for both students and general readers.

A elementary course in spoken and written Mandarin, this Yale textbook provides the core materials for a first year course, aiming for basic competence in conversation, pronunciation, the reading process, writing system and pinyin transcription.

Although overshadowed by China, the 'Land of the Morning Calm' escaped the invasions that disrupted its larger neighbour, preserving its refined tradition of Confucian art. This fully illustrated catalogue of an exhibition at the Musee Guimet in Paris draws on private collections to present more than 150 paintings, ceramics, fans and items of furniture, many unknown to the public, and explores the distinctive Korean culture that created these exquisite depictions of plants, animals and landscapes.

Part of the Introductions to Chinese Culture series, this book describes the context and significance of bronze ware in ancient China, including discussion of wine and water vessels, musical instruments and weapons, patterns and inscriptions. Like all the books in the series, it is written by a noted expert in the field, well illustrated with colour photographs and offers an ideal introductory survey for both students and general readers.

Zhang Xiaoming provides an accessible, illustrated introduction to the history, production techniques and rich variety of Chinese furniture, and explains its cultural significance.

Part of the Introductions to Chinese Culture series, this book explores the creation of classical Chinese gardens through history, discussing the theories and artistic conceptions behind their design, and the development of diverse regional styles. Like all the books in the series, it is written by a noted expert in the field, well illustrated with colour photographs and offers an ideal introductory survey for both students and general readers.

Traditional Chinese painting was fundamentally an abstract art form, and sought to portray the harmony between the natural world and human emotion. In this book, part of the Introductions to Chinese Culture series, Lin Ci explores the history, theory and development of distinctive styles of Chinese painting. Like all the books in the series, it is written by a noted expert in the field, well illustrated with colour reproductions and offers an ideal introductory survey for both students and general readers.

In this volume, 15 leading scholars offer a critical evaluation of Mao Zedong, from the historical and political context of his emergence as a revolutionary in the early 20th century to his legacy.

There are more than 50 ethnic minorities in the People's Republic of China, most of them living in remote regions of the country. Photographer Alessandra Meniconzi has journeyed across China following the trail of traditional cultures and lifestyles from Yunnan's endless rice terraces in the deep south to the historic trading hubs in north-western Xinjiang. This magnificent collection of her colour photographs documents many traditional ways of life that could soon cease to exist.

Challenging Eurocentric theories of international relations, Kang analyses how the East Asian system functioned from the founding of the Ming dynasty in 1368 to the start of the Opium Wars in 1841, a period which saw only two large-scale conflicts between China and its neighbours. After explaining how the 'tribute system' fostered diplomatic and commercial exchange, he ends by considering the contribution of the region's formal hierarchy to the increasing stability and integration of the modern East Asian world.

Part of the Introductions to Chinese Culture series, this book draws on archaeological evidence and examples of precious cultural artefacts to provide an introduction to the mystery of jade and the role that jade wares have played in Chinese social life. Like all the books in the series, it is written by a noted expert in the field, well illustrated with colour reproductions and photographs and offers an ideal introductory survey for both students and general readers.

The unique art inspired by Tibet's cultural amalgam of Shamanism and Buddhism is meant to be of specific use and spiritual benefit to everyone. Rawson discusses a wealth of photographs which depict not only the artistic productions of the past but also the activities of the present-day monks who continue ancient traditions, with their mandalas, mantras and meditation offering 'powerful, untarnished and coherent alternatives to Western egotistical lifestyles'.

Dispersed across India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, midnight's descendants - the generations born since the midnight partition of British India in 1947 - are the world's fastest-growing population. This first comprehensive history of this complex and inter-connected region charts its uneven and often fraught path to modernization; the volatile relationship between India and Pakistan; the rise of religious fundamentalism; the bitter wars in Kashmir and Sri Lanka; and the area's increasing influence on global economics and geopolitics.

Indo-China is the vast, varied region that extends between the Chinese landmass and the Malay Peninsula, the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Connected by rivers and divided by mountains, it is home to a rich diversity of peoples, cultures and languages. This attractive book describes the history, geography and climate of each of its five countries. Colour photographs convey the powerful appeal of its vibrant cities, ancient temples, lush rainforests and idyllic beaches.

Covering three millennia of Chinese history, this book comprises 96 short biographies of people from as wide a range of regions, ethnicities, eras and achievement as possible. Illustrated with portraits and other artworks, the listing begins with a woman - Fu Hao, a royal consort and female warrior of the 13th century BCE - and includes people from every sphere of political, military, cultural, artistic and scientific life, up to the end of the 20th century.

One of the world's foremost historians of China, Jonathan Spence presents a concise biography of Mao Zedong, deflating myths and showing how, through relentless energy and ruthless self-confidence, Mao was able to attain so much power and hold on to it for so long. Spence likens him to a 'Lord of Misrule', turning traditional Chinese society upside down in 'a long drawn-out adventure in upheaval'.

Beginning with the reign of the Yongle emperor (1403-1424), this richly illustrated catalogue presents over 120 artefacts once owned by princes of the Ming dynasty during the period up to the death of the Jiajing emperor in 1566. Indicative of the fabulous wealth of the Ming rulers, the pieces described and photographed include gold and silver vessels, jewellery and jade, paintings, porcelain and clothing. The volume also contains essays on aspects of Ming art history and recent archaeological finds.

Dr Ernest Peake (1874-1950), the father of Mervyn Peake, was a newly qualified doctor when he was sent to China by the London Missionary Society in 1899, and he practised medicine in Hunan province and Tientsin until 1923. These memoirs describe his experience of 'the Celestial Empire' during a period that saw the violent end of Manchu rule and the start of the Chinese Republic. The memoirs are published here for the first time, with an introduction by Hilary Spurling.

Jonathan Hay presents a richly illustrated, in-depth introduction to the visual arts of China during the Ming to mid-Qing period, c.1570-1840, focusing on artefacts made for the home rather than export market. With photographs and reproductions of 228 objects, including paintings, porcelain, metalwares, carvings and furniture, the text explores issues of materials and technique, patronage and taste, and the cultural role of the decorative arts.

The Tibetan way of life is changing fast, with new transport links and communications infrastructure bringing ever more tourists and technology. The environment itself is also in jeopardy as the region heats up and glaciers that feed important water sources flowing into China, India and Pakistan recede. This photographic portfolio presents studies of the striking people, landscapes and customs of Tibet with reference to how these modern threats are affecting the country's traditional devotional Buddhist culture.

Malaysia offers a striking variety of attractions for the visitor, from the high-rise skyline of the capital Kuala Lumpur to pristine beaches and rainforest trekking. Illustrated with colour photographs on every page, this attractive book gives an overview of Malaysia's geography, history, people, religion, arts and cuisine, before exploring both parts of the country: Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. Special features cover a wide range of topics, from festivals to street art.

An estimated 20 per cent of the world's animal species can be found in Malaysia and the country has a network of reserves and protected areas, from the diverse environments of the vast Taman Negara National Park to the caves of Gunung Mulu. Written by local experts, this extensively illustrated volume examines the flora and fauna of rainforest, wetland, coastal and highland areas and considers its conservation in the country's three regions - Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia.

Buddhism is a faith embraced by hundreds of millions of people, yet all that is known about its founder comes from a collection of ancient writings that fuse history, biography and myth. This concise but comprehensive introduction from the bestselling author of Fields of Blood (Postscript 25329) distils the chief events of Buddha's life and quest for enlightenment, illuminating the key tenets of the religion and the ideas of this most influential of spiritual thinkers.

Japan suffered three disasters in March 2011 - earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown - which have been followed by a long period of recovery. This book connects the political and economic response to those events with the series of crises and stubbornly resilient reconstructions that have punctuated Japanese history. Drawing on his years of experience reporting from Japan, Pilling shares insights from interviews with the country's leaders and the stories of a cross-section of citizens young and old.

It was 1963, and Xinran was five years old, when she first heard the rumour - one of China's soldiers had been brutally dissected and fed to the vultures. Thirty years would pass before Xinran learned the truth about the ritual of sky burial through the shocking life story of Shu Wen, a woman who had spent most of her life on the Tibetan plateau in search of her lost husband. Translated by Julia Lovell and Esther Tyldesley.

The Zen kong-an (koan in Japanese) is a simple and effective tool for connecting with the freedom of our 'before thinking' mind. This book shows kong-an practice in action, through interactions between Korean Zen master Seung Sahn and his students.

Before giant robots, space ships, and masked super heroes filled the pages of Japanese comic books--known as manga--such characters were regularly seen on the streets of Japan in kamishibai stories. Manga Kamishibai: The Art of Japanese Paper Theater tells the history of this fascinating and nearly vanished Japanese art form that paved the way for modern-day comic books, and is the missing link in the development of modern manga.

Based around 90 masterpieces in the Seattle Art Museum, this book describes and illustrates paintings, ceramics, lacquer ware and screens, while accompanying essays discuss Japanese art from prehistory to the 19th century.

In this volume of the Science and Civilisation in China series, originally supervised by Joseph Needham (1900-1995), Donald Wagner provides a comprehensive account, including detailed technical discussions, of the production and use of iron and steel in China, from their earliest appearance to the mid 20th century. Wagner sets Chinese ferrous metallurgy in political and economic context, one of his aims being a 'demonstration of some of the ways in which technologies influence the course of history'.

Covering Chinese history from the 17th century BCE to the 20th CE, Cotterell traces the development of the imperial capitals which reveal the character of each period, such as the architectural virtuosity of the Ming dynasty which can still be seen in Beijing's Forbidden City. As well as exploring the building design and urban planning of each city, he discusses the personalities and politics of those who lived there.

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Some of Asia's greatest empires flourished during the last millennium, from the Khmer empire (802-1566) of South East Asia to the defeat of Japan in the Second World War - but we still believe the myth that these centuries were dominated by European empires. Challenging such a view, the seven essays in this beautifully illustrated book reveal that Asian kingdoms - the Mongols, Ming, Khmer, Ottomans, Safavids, Mughals and Meiji - played a significant part in this era of polycentric world power.

Retracing the route of Mao's Long March, an international team of photographers compiled this spectacular volume revealing the monumental changes of the past 75 years, as villages have become cities, dirt tracks superhighways, and everywhere the buzz of industry and commerce fills the air. With a digital app to access additional audio-visual content on an iPad, this is a magnificent survey of China's landscapes and a tribute to the resilience of its peoples.

The story of five expeditions to Tibet made by Jesuit explorers between 1624 and 1721, looking at how they survived extraordinary hardships and dangers that still rest of civilization. 8pp b&w plates

Looking beyond the image of the almost superhuman swordsmen promoted in modern film and literature, Hiroaki Sato confronts both the history and the legend of the samurai, untangling the two to present an authentic picture of these legendary warriors. Through his translations of original samurai tales, laws, dicta, reports and arguments, accompanied by insightful commentary, Sato chronicles the changing ethos of the Japanese warrior from the samurai's historical origins to his rise to political power in the 18th century.

Cave of Tigers comprises edited transcripts of conversations between Zen Master John Daido Loori and his students at New York's Zen Mountain Monastery. It offers a rare glimpse of the face-to-face encounter in which students respond to the words of the great sages of the past and, under the guidance of a teacher, discuss the questions which they stimulate. Felt-tip mark on lower trimmed edge.

The first reliable guide to the Japanese artists whose signatures appear on the miniature lacquer medicine cases called inro, the Index contains 2,704 entries and more than 2,000 photographs of signatures gathered from examples in both public and private collections worldwide. The book includes biographical details of the artists, a character index and a glossary of terms. Foreword by Arakawa Hirokazu. Slightly off-mint.

Traditional Chinese medicine is one of the most renowned and most controversial scientific achievements of ancient Chinese civilization and still plays an important part in Chinese health care. This book, part of the Introductions to Chinese Culture series, provides an accessible overview of the theory and practice of traditional Chinese medicine. Like all the books in the series, it is written by a noted expert in the field, well illustrated with colour reproductions and photographs and offers an ideal introductory survey for both students and general readers.

In 1404, on the ruins of Khanbalik, capital of the defeated Mongols, the Ming emperor Zhu Di founded Peking, a dazzling metropolis designed to express his transcendent power. This compact, elegant pocket book traces the city's history over the subsequent five centuries until its capture by the Communist forces of Mao Zedong. Illustrated with evocative period photographs and antique prints, it includes a fold-out map of the Forbidden City.

A colourful and very accessible introduction to Chinese culture, this book comprises concise, well-illustrated and richly informative articles on aspects of the country ranging from natural wonders such as the magical Stone Forest to chop sticks. Beginning with cultural icons, including calligraphy, fengshui and the four auspicious creatures, the book has chapters covering architecture, festivals, daily life, arts and crafts, legends, famous historical figures and the performing arts.

The West's embrace of Buddhism, seemingly a relatively recent phenomenon, actually came about over the course of two millennia, despite the obstacles of language, cultural difference and colonial and post-colonial politics. From early exchanges between the ancient Greeks and Indian Buddhists to the current fascination with the Dalai Lama, Sutin describes how the West discovered that Buddhism offers teachings and practices which can be used within disciplines such as Western philosophy, psychology and politics.